Cold performance

[Allen Knapp]

2003, F250, 2WD, XLT. When engine (Trans Temp) is below about 50 deg. F on initial start the engine ramps to RPM slowly. ie. Start up and back out of drive, drop in Drive and you can lay your foot on the floor, truck will slowly ramp up in speed, 5 seconds to 30mph, and then co like hell. Seems to be RPM related with the temp. Once the tach breaks 3000 RPM it's like nothing ever happened. Any Clues???????????? ALK

[jwiger]

did this just start? the 6.0 has a warmup valve that tends to make it a little sluggish untill the engine warms up

[n1njazx7]

I also have a 03 6.0L and it has no power until the motor temps get near 120. I just took it to the dealer and they have had it for a week now. So far they have reprogramed the PCM, changed injector software, now they are waiting on injectors to come in on Monday. They said one was bad at first, then two. So far all covered under warranty. I say you might try taken yours in, you might need same as mine.

[Ditty]

Sounds like you MIGHT be low on trans fluid. This might not be relevant, but in my Dad's '78 F250 gasser (460cid) he has to let it idle a little until the tranny will even shift into reverse. After about 5-10 mins everything is AOK. We know the tranny is going out and Pops just doesn't have the $$$ to get a new one/rebuild it. (We are trying to get him on OVERHAULIN'.)

[Stressed11]

I had all sorts of people tell me that this(6.0L) just had cold start issues. It was loud, rattled, and had low power until warmup. I recently had 7K worth of work done on mine, including new heads and software reflashes. Guess what mine is now much quieter, and runs better when cold. So mabey there is a fix for that loud knocking noise and low power at startup. If your not getting results at your FMC dealer find another. Poor starup performance was not designed into this engine and is NOT normal..

Stressed11

[n1njazx7]

The dealer updated the software on my truck and replaced two injectors. It runs great now. Thanks for all feedback.

[sootyoil]

need better cold performance? it is as simple as a oil/coolant change
use oil with -60 degree pour points, and drain out that revolving door, coolant ford puts in there and buy some EVANS COOLANT.
lower pour point non petroleum oil will be easier to pump when cold and EVANS COOLANT will let the engine get to temperature 20 minutes sooner than conventional coolant, not to mention save your head gaskets and your wallet from ever having to add a drop of coolant again to your truck...AKA LIFETIME FILL

[n1njazx7]

I'm running 15W-40 Rotella-T synthetic. Is this good oil?

[sootyoil]

Originally Posted by n1njazx7

I'm running 15W-40 Rotella-T synthetic. Is this good oil?

use it with your favorite filter and sample the oil at 5000 miles then at 10000 miles and if it is good it will make it to 15000 miles and beyond, if not then maybe it ain't so good for the price.
but to use for only 5000 miles it ain't no good

[n1njazx7]

OK, you lost. What oil would you use?